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New research-informed Events Careers Guide launched
The events industry is growing, adding £11.5 billion to the UK economy in 2024 and supporting over 126,000 jobs, according to the Events Industry Alliance (EIA). But what does a career in the events industry actually look like? And how does someone go about trying to establish a successful career path? Kate Dashper, Professor of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management, has developed a new careers guide aimed at students, parents, teachers and anyone interested in knowing more about events careers and how to progress in them.
Events careers are varied, ranging from operational roles in venues and hotels, to event production, hospitality, creative marketing and beyond, so it can be challenging to identify specific roles and career paths. This is made even more complicated by lack of consistency in job titles and adverts, with roles of a similar level and pay being called anything from events executive, to assistant, to officer, to planner.
It can be difficult to understand career progression in the sector as well. Is an event manager more senior than an events executive? What skills and experiences are needed to become Head of Events?
We have created The Careers Guide, supported with funding from the Event Industry Forum (EIF), to answer some of these questions, and to help would-be events professionals understand more about the possibilities the sector offers for fun, varied and rewarding careers.
The guide is evidence-based, drawing on our research analysing job adverts and interviews with established events professionals.
I've been teaching event management students for over 15 years, and I am always struck by how little they know and can find out about potential careers in the sector. Students are often deeply passionate about events, and go on to have fantastic careers, but this lack of clarity about professional options can put some off studying events and may lead to teachers and family members questioning the value of event management qualifications and careers.
I hope the Careers Guide helps to demystify the sector and show that many different routes to success are possible.
Interested in knowing more?
The Careers in the Events Sector Guide is available for free download.
Professor Kate Dashper
Professor Kate Dashper is Director of Postgraduate Research Degrees in the Carnegie School of Sport. Her research combines expertise in gender studies and human-animal studies in the contexts of events, leisure, tourism and sport.
